NEW Zealand have always been a bogey team for Malaysia but coach Sarjit Singh aims to break the jinx today at the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.

New Zealand beat Malaysia 1-0 in the Madrid Olympic Qualifier in 2004, and then 4-1 in the China Olympic Qualifier in 2006.

"This is the first time we will be playing New Zealand since I became national coach, and from what I saw in the NZ-India match (which NZ won 4-3), and NZ-Pakistan clash (which Pakistan won 6-3), they (New Zealand) have a formidable side. We will have to play well above our normal capabilities to beat them," said Sarjit yesterday.

Malaysia were impressive against Pakistan on Thursday (though losing 4-3), and today's match will show if the hosts have consistency. And then there is Hayden Shaw, the NZ penalty corner flicker who has always been a thorn in Malaysia's side. He was instrumental in Malaysia's defeats in both Qualifiers.

"We will have to stop Shaw for sure as he is a very consistent penalty corner flicker," Sarjit said. "The priority will be to minimise penalty corner giveaways, and when we do, the first runner will have to work extra hard to stop Shaw."
New Zealand, Canada, Pakistan and Belgium have already qualified for the Beijing Olympics, while India, Malaysia and Argentina missed the cut and are on a morale re-building campaign. "For me, not only do I want a good finish in the Azlan Shah Cup but I also want to see the players improve from the Japan Qualifier. I will use this tournament as an appraisal and those who choose to remain in the shadows will find themselves left out from the next tournament," Sarjit warned.

To date, Argentina and Pakistan have been the impressive sides and will clash in today's late match.

India have been a letdown but that was expected as the team selection was done at the eleventh hour due to turmoil within the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) which saw the removal of its president K.P.S. Gill and secretary Jothi Kumaran by the Indian Olympic Council.